National Grid launches Viking Link: A major step towards North Sea super-grid

National Grid has officially launched the Viking Link project today, a transformative £1.8 billion interconnector that links the United Kingdom with Denmark. The Viking Link boasts a 1.4GW capacity and is acclaimed as the longest land and subsea cable in the world, stretching 475 miles. It has the capability to supply electricity to up to 2.5 million UK homes, positioning it as a cornerstone in the development of a future North Sea super-grid.

The infrastructure is expected to deliver over £5.2 billion in benefits to UK consumers and plays a pivotal role in the energy transition efforts of both the UK and Denmark towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions. As the UK’s first connection with Denmark, Viking Link not only supports the exchange of renewable energy but also enhances energy security and fosters the integration of sustainable power sources across national borders.

John Pettigrew, Group CEO of National Grid, emphasized the strategic importance of the Viking Link: “In an ever-changing global energy market, the value that connections like Viking Link can provide to national energy security cannot be understated. Over its lifespan, this record-breaking connection will deliver over five billion pounds in efficiencies for UK consumers, allow us to trade hundreds of gigawatts in surplus power, and provide an indispensable tool in guaranteeing the continued reliability of our energy system. Projects like this are emblematic of the efforts National Grid will make to deliver for customers and climate alike.”

Viking Link is not just a power transmission cable; it is part of a larger vision that includes the development of additional interconnectors like LionLink and Nautilus. These projects are essential for leveraging the vast potential of offshore wind power, which is expected to grow to 300GW in the North Sea region. By the 2030s, the UK aims to become a net exporter of power, largely due to its increasing renewable energy capacity.

Claire Coutinho, Energy Security Secretary, highlighted the dual benefits of the Viking Link: “At 475 miles long, Viking Link is the world’s longest land and subsea interconnector. This incredible feat of engineering will help us achieve net zero while strengthening our shared energy security. The record-breaking connection will power up to 2.5 million UK homes with clean energy from a trusted ally, while saving consumers £500 million on their energy bills.”

In its first year of operation alone, Viking Link is expected to save 600,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to taking 280,000 cars off UK roads. The National Grid’s interconnector fleet will have helped the UK avoid approximately 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030, with 90% of the energy imported being from zero carbon sources.

The Viking Link project is a landmark achievement in the realm of international energy collaboration. It not only enhances the energy security of the involved nations but also sets a new standard for the integration of renewable energy resources on a grand scale. This initiative is a significant step towards creating a more interconnected and sustainable European energy landscape.